Малоросійство та його прояви у суспільному житті України на початку ХХ ст.

Abstract

The article describes current and long-lasting issue of little Russian identity in Ukrainian society. It is shown in demonstration of suffering, looking for people, who are responsible for their powerlessness. Nowadays it has all become a necessary factor. Little Russian identity is a disease which destroys intellect and national instinct. Little Russian identity is a special mental approach, which embodies deep inner dependence from an empire, and also subconscious fear of it. People who have such identity behave as the former empire is their eternal parent state, with which they constantly check their assessments, mood, perception. It remains an eternal reference point for them. That is why the bearer of little Russian identity is always a person who has inferiority complex. At the beginning of the twentieth century nationally conscious Ukrainians made a big blow to it, but it remained due to big impact it has on social conscience. Years has passed, political regimes changed, bu their essence remained the same – little Russian identity. Lots of representatives of the movement for Ukrainian national liberation grappled with it, but it demonstrates its survivability. The task of this article is to investigate the issue of little Russian identity at the beginning of the twentieth century, how exactly did it influence on the development of Ukrainian lands and what constituted an obstacle for Ukrainians to get rid of its influence.